PETER DARBY and MÁIRÍN MACCARRON (eds), Bede the Scholar: (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2023. £60 [hbk]. 321 + xvi pp. IBSN: 9781526153203).

The book being reviewed, "Bede the Scholar," edited by Peter Darby and Máirín MacCarron, focuses on the research questions posed by Paul Meyvaert in 1976 regarding the sharpness, creativity, and originality of Bede's mind. The collection of essays in this volume covers a wide range of topics, including Bede's relationship with patristic writings, his scholarship methods, and specific elements of his work. The book challenges the assumption that originality is the most important characteristic of scholarly strength and highlights Bede's place within the wider early medieval tradition. The reviewer found the chapter on Bede's knowledge of Hebrew to be particularly thought-provoking and emphasizes the need to see Bede as both a participant in the patristic age and an early medieval figure. Overall, the book offers valuable insights into Bede's scholarship and encourages new questions to be asked about his work. [Extracted from the article]